s my part of the
malice too. As soon as ever I spied my husband and Melantha come
together, I had a strange temptation to make him jealous in revenge;
and that made me call Palamede, Palamede! as though there had been an
intrigue between us.

_Mel._ Nay, I avow, there was an appearance of an intrigue between us
too.

_Pala._ To see how things will come about!

_Rho._ And was it only thus, my dear Doralice? [_Embrace._

_Dor._ And did I wrong n'own Rhodophil, with a false suspicion?
[_Embracing him._

_Pala._ [_Aside._] Now I am confident we had all four the same design:
'Tis a pretty odd kind of game this, where each of us plays for double
stakes: This is just thrust and parry with the same motion; I am to
get his wife, and yet to guard my own mistress. But I am vilely
suspicious, that, while I conquer in the right wing, I shall be routed
in the left; for both our women will certainly betray their party,
because they are each of them for gaining of two, as well as we; and I
much fear.

If their necessities and ours were known,
They have more need of two, than we of one.
[_Exeunt, embracing one another._

ACT IV. SCENE I.

_Enter_ LEONIDAS, _musing;_ AMALTHEA, _following him._

_Amal._ Yonder he is; and I must speak or die;
And yet 'tis death to speak: yet he must know
I have a passion for him, and may know it
With a less blush; because to offer it
To his low fortunes, shows I loved before,
His person, not his greatness.

_Leon._ First scorned, and now commanded from the court!
The king is good; but he is wrought to this
By proud Argaleon's malice.
What more disgrace can love and fortune join
To inflict upon one man? I cannot now
Behold my dear Palmyra: She, perhaps, too,
Is grown ashamed of a mean ill-placed love.

_Amal._ Assist me, Venus, for I tremble when
I am to speak, but I must force myself. [_Aside._
Sir, I would crave but one short minute with you,
And some few words.

_Leon._ The proud Argaleon's sister! [_Aside._

_Amal._ Alas! it will not out; Shame stops my mouth.
[_Aside._
Pardon my error, sir; I was mistaken,
And took you for another.

_Leon._ In spite of all his guards, I'll see Palmyra; [_Aside._
Though meanly born, I have a kingly soul.

_Amal._ I stand upon